December 8, 2017
Austin Poetry Society Museletter
Monthly Meeting: December 16
The final meeting of the year will be the APS annual holiday potluck and open mic event -- Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at th e Yarborough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin.

Details about meetings and speakers in 2018 will be forthcoming. Be sure to visit the APS website or Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Happy holidays to those who celebrate, and best wishes for a wonderful 2018!
APS Saturday Critique Group

Join the next meeting of the APS Saturday Critique Group Saturday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m at the Millwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst Dr, Austin.

Bring 10 copies of a poem in progress to discuss with friendly poets. The group is facilitated by Elizabeth Krop f. Email elizabethrebeccakropf@gmail.com  for more information.
Contest sponsors needed


Are you interested in sponsoring one of the APS Annual Contests? Anyone can be a sponsor for as little as $50 (you determine the prize amounts).

If so, please send the following information to  austinpoetrysociety@gmail.com by Dec. 15:

  • Your Name
  • The title of your contest
  • Dedication (if any)
  • The subject of the poems (if any)
  • The specifications of the poems (form, line length, etc.)
  • Prizes (how much money you will award to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place)

Membership renewal reminder
Please renew your APS membership as soon as possible if you have not already done so. You can renew online through Submittable or by mail. More information is located on our website here .

If you haven't paid your dues for the 2017-2018 membership year, you will be deleted from the membership rolls this month. You will not receive the Museletter or be able to participate in contests. For questions related to membership, contact Sonny Regelman, membership director, at sonnyregelman@hotmail.com .
Note from APS President
We have already had some amazing presentations this year. Nathan Brown, Jena Kirkpatrick, Alan Birkelbach have been extraordinary both reading their poetry and giving insight into the processes they use to inspire that work.

Hoping each of you put the third Saturdays in January, February, March, and April to find more inspiration in our monthly meetings and make plans to enter the annual contests opening up soon. Pretty exciting in May to see if you win and wonderful to get $$ in prize money!

Austin Poetry Society is very fortunate to have such talented poets as members who also donate to feed the lifeblood of our group. Thanks to all who register as patrons – that extra $10 helps!

Thanks to Lydia Armendariz whose generous gift to support Hispanic members and poetry will fund a new annual contest for 2018!

Thanks to Randy Lusk who again donates and notifies the TI Foundation who kindly matches his donation each year! 

Special thanks to all the members who volunteer their time, expertise and money every year without fail. I won’t even try to name names as I’m sure I’d leave out people who deserve our appreciation over and over! 

Special appreciation to board members (current and past) who make time in busy lives to keep APS alive and well. It wouldn’t exist without you.

-- Barbara Gregg
Poetry Contests and Calls for Submissions
  • Send in a poem about the Odessa Jackalopes hockey team (which is celebrating its 21st season) to kopykath@hotmail.com by Dec. 31. Two poets will be selected to read their poems during intermission. All submitting poets will receive a free 2018 Permian Basin Poetry Society membership and a free ticket to the Jackalopes game on Feb. 3.

Please send contest and calls for submission information to musecarta@gmail.com
Poetry Events

Saturday, Dec. 9, 12:30-2:30pm, Poetry Aloud! at Georgetown Library, hosted by Mike and Joyce Gullickson. Theme is: Ho! Ho! Ho!

Saturday, Dec. 9, 4-5pm, Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Ryan Sharp Book Launch. Join us in celebrating the launch of Ryan Sharp’s new chabook,  my imaginary old man: poems (Finishing Line Press). With readings from Ryan, Joe Brundidge, and Jennine “DOC” Wright.

Sunday, Dec. 10, 4-6pm,  Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Austin Writers Roulette. Austin Writers Roulette is an uncensored, theme-inspired spoken word and storytelling event. It features a different monthly theme and line up of artists who perform their original written works such as poetry, essays, and spoken word. This month’s theme is “Festivus Miracles.” 

Monday, Dec. 11, 9-11pm, Fort to Famous Open Mic Night at the Buzz Mill, 1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin.

Monday, Dec. 11, 7-8pm Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705David Taylor Book Launch. Join us in celebrating the launch of David Taylor’s third collection of poetry,  Palm Up, Palm Down (Wings Press). With readings from David, Jim LaVilla-Havelin, and Bryce Milligan.

Friday, Dec. 15, 7-8pm, Malvern Books 613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  An Evening with Anton Yakovlev, Heather Tone & James Arthur. Join us for an evening with visiting poet Anton Yakovlev. With readings from Anton, plus special guests Heather Tone and James Arthur.

Sunday, Dec. 17, 2-3pm, Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  An Afternoon with Coco Picard & Friends. Join us for an afternoon with Coco Picard, Devin King, Anthony Madrid, Nadya Pittendrigh, and Julia Hendrickson. 

Sunday, Dec. 17, 4-5pm, Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705Albert Huffstickler Birthday Celebration. Join us for a poetry reading and birthday cake to celebrate the late, great poet laureate of Hyde Park, Albert Huffstickler.



Monday, Dec. 18, 9-11pm, Fort to Famous Open Mic Night at the Buzz Mill, 1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin.

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7-8pm, Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705Why There Are Words Austin. You’re invited to join us for the fourth Austin edition of the Why There Are Words reading series! This month’s readers are Peg Alford Pursell, Butch Hancock, Ken Waldman, and Justin Booth.

Monday, Dec. 25, 9-11pm, Fort to Famous Open Mic Night at the Buzz Mill, 1505 Town Creek Dr, Austin.

Thursday, Jan. 4, 7-11pm, San Marcos Poetry Night at Wake the Dead, 1432 Old Ranch Road 12, San Marcos.

Sunday, Jan. 7, 1-2pm, Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705The Lion & The Pirate Unplugged. In association with VSA Texas (The State Organization on Arts and Disability) and the Pen2Paper Creative Writing Contest (a project of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities), we’re delighted to present an inclusive (mic-less) open mic for writers and musicians. Join us for a fun and friendly afternoon suitable for performers of all ages and abilities.

Sunday, Jan. 14, 4-6pm,  Malvern Books613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Austin Writers Roulette. Austin Writers Roulette is an uncensored, theme-inspired spoken word and storytelling event. It features a different monthly theme and line up of artists who perform their original written works such as poetry, essays, and spoken word. This month’s theme is “Shock of a New Beginning.” 
New Poetry Book Club

Malvern will be starting a new Line/Break Poetry Book Club on Jan. 27 from 1-2:30pm. It's a reading group for people interested in exploring groups from Malverns' expansive poetry section. At the first meeting, they will discuss Joy of Missing Out by Ana Božičević.
Austin Poetry Society | P.O. Box 41346, Austin, TX 78704 | www.austinpoetrysociety.org
We need volunteers!
APS can't function without volunteers, and several positions are available for the upcoming year!

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at austinpoetrysociety@gmail.com . We are currently looking for a  treasurer , as well as people to chair various committees. Let us know if you can help!